International animal defense organization urges maximum sentences for former Rockland police officers
Sarah Shepherd
Former Rockport Police Officers Addison Cox and Michael Rolerson. (Photos courtesy of Rockland Police Department)
ROCKLAND/SAN RAFAEL, CALIF. The case of the two former Rockland police officers who were charged with allegedly beating to death several porcupines with a baton while on duty in September, continues to trigger strong reactions. One international animal rights organization has since submitted a letter signed by 10,000 people asking the Assistant District Attorney who is prosecuting the case to, “seek maximum penalties possible under the law.”
Addison Cox and Michael Rolerson were
They were also with charged with misdemeanor counts of night hunting.
Cox was additionally charged with a misdemeanor count of using artificial light to illuminate wild animals and Rolerson with unlawful possession of implements or aids, another misdemeanor charge.
The former officers will appear Jan. 7 in Knox County Unified Court for a dispositional conference. The officers were initially to have appeared in court Nov. 9, but their attorneys filed an appearance on behalf of their clients to wave their appearances.
The purpose of the dispositional conference is for the defense attorneys to meet with the prosecution and a judge and discuss the merits of the evidence, the defense and any pretrial motions.